Elwin stood proud over his new family. Vanima, the alpha female, stood by his side. Over the last several moon cycles he earned their respect, even Torvar’s youngest Edon, by leading every hunt instead of waiting in the back like the previous alpha male.

Now that Elwin had become one with the spirit wolf, he could understand and communicate. To any other sentient being it would be just another wolf howling, but to his ears, it came out in his native tongue.

Carca returned with the rest of the scouts and sat in front of Elwin, tail thumping the ground.

“Elwin! I have returned. We have caught the scent of a new beast. What would you have us do?”

Howl! “Listen up! It is my responsibility to protect and defend our land. You must aid me in this. Warriors to me!”

Fifteen of his finest ran through the forest with Elwin. He cared little what gender they were. All were given the chance to prove themselves worthy.

He let Carca take the lead in the hunt. They encountered little wildlife and those that they did run across did their best to hide or run away.

All were ignored. They were after bigger game.

A familiar scent entered his nose and Elwin knew it had to be her. The elf had returned to the forest and she wasn’t alone.

Did she hunt the same beast?

He knew that his pack would intercept the elves before engaging the predator. Elwin ran to the front next to Carca and howled. “Leave the elves alone! They are not our prey.”

He put faith in his family and charged forward. Elwin and Carca broke away in different directions as they passed by the three elves. He glanced back long enough to see that his orders had been followed. His pack left them behind and charged straight into danger.

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Howl! “A tiger! It will not go down easy. Stay away from its claws and maw! Attack from the sides.”

His pack would strike the tiger's flank, but as an alpha male, he would attack from the front.

Elwin charged forward while the others circled before closing the distance.

The tiger swiped at his face and missed when he pounced up in the air and landed on its left shoulder momentarily before lunging forward digging his claws into its back and pushing off.

Enraged, the tiger lashed out at Elwin's retreating form. Elessar, one of the youngest females in this fight, stepped in taking the full force of the strike before crashing into Elwin. He stood over the dying wolf and howled in rage.

Carca led the first wave of wolves that bit and clawed at the tiger’s flanks.

Not every warrior dodged the beast's strikes. Massive claws sent two of his brothers to the ground. Carca fought back to protect his own. Teeth sank into the scout’s neck and snapped it before tossing the wolf to the ground.

A mournful howl turned enraged as another wave crashed into the tiger with abandon.

Again, Elwin faced the beast only to be forced back or risk a similar fate. Several members of their family now lay on the ground wounded or dead. He knew this fight would never be in their favor.

He caught the elf’s scent again mixed with two others and knew she had arrived.

Howl! “We are not alone! Surround the beast.”

Elwin grabbed the tiger’s attention and circled the beast so its back faced the elves. He used his increased reflexes to keep its eyes on him while evading the constant barrage.

An unfamiliar woman stood up from the brush holding a bow and fired two arrows into the tiger’s hind leg and head.

Howl! “It’s wounded. Everyone with me!”

Those that could still stand, charged with Elwin at the forefront. Three wolves leapt on the tiger’s side knocking it to the ground. The arrow in its hind leg prevented any resistance. The rest bit down trying to hold it in place.

Elwin slashed at the tiger’s face, blinding it before latching on to its neck for the killing blow.

Blood dripped from his mouth as he locked eyes with the familiar elf who nodded before turning around with her companions and leaving.

Howl!

Everyone joined in celebrating the victory of the kill.

Out of fifteen wolves, five did not survive. Carca, Elessar, Tinwe, Huine and Ceuran.

After eating their fill, the strongest among them helped drag the corpse back to their den.

Now that Carca had fallen, Edon took his place next to Elwin.

Howl! “You all fought bravely today. We can feast tonight knowing that our young can rest in peace.”